dieckmann



( 2 t e e h S up t e e h S 2 N N A M. K C E I D aw 0 IO M 0 m METHOD QF AND APPARATUS P011. [GENERATING STEAM.

P-at n te'd Jan. 29, 18 84.

.INVBNTOR WITNESSES oh. MM

A'BTORNBY N- PETERS. MUM v WWI. QC

irnn STATES- PATENT ri icm GEORGE DIEOKMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' SPECIFICATION. forming part of Letters Patent No. 292,546, dated January 29, 1884.

Application filed April 13,-1883. (No model.) i

To a whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE DI'EOKMANN, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Generating Steam, of which the following is a specification. 4

It is well-known that in the different systems for generating heat heretofore in'use only a comparatively small percentage of the theoretically attainable heat contained in fuel is utilized. This insufficient utilization arises mainly from the incomplete combustion of the fuel in the furnaces, as the larger percentage of heat-units are drawn off throughthe chimneys with the products of combustion. Another source of loss of heat consists in the loss by radiation. Numerous attempts have been made to produce a higher utilization of the fuel by burning the fuel in separate gas-generating furnaces, and burning the gas so produced with a proper admixture of air in a boiler-furnace, which, though a considerable step forward. as regards the employment of gaseous fuel, still necessitates the employment of extensive and expensive furnaces, fines, and boilers.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved method and apparatus for generating steam without a furnace and chimney of any kind, in such a manner that the heat required to transform the water. into steam is obtained, not from an exterior source of heat, but by the direct combustion of an explosible air and gas mixture atthe interior of the boiler or generator. The heat of the products ofcombustion of a series of successive explosions is given off and communicated directly to the water in the generator, while the radiated heat is also transmittedto the surrounding body of water, whereby not only a more effective utilization of the gaseous fuel, but also a more direct and economical transformation of water into steam, is produced.

- The invention consists of a method of generating steam by heating the water with the gases of combustion generated by a series of successive explosions taking place in a chamber surrounded by the water; and, secondly, ofan apparatus composed of a generator, an interior explosion chamber having valvedexit-openings, means for supplying the required quantities of gas and air under suitable pressure, means for exploding the air and gas mixture at proper intervals, and of means whereby'the gases of combustion generated by each combustion are forced from the explosion-chamber to the outside, for further utilization. The generator or generators are connected to an accumulating-vessel by a pipe having an intermittently opening valve; The generatoris further provided with a pressureregulating valve, and with mechanism whereby the latter is connected with the mechanisms that actuate the air and gas supply valves and the igniting device, so as to cause an interruption of the'explosions when a too high degree-of pressure in the generator and accumulator is obtained, as will be more fully described hereinafter, and finally be point-ed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, which represent my invention, Figures 1 and 2irepresent an elevation and a plan of a battery of my improved generators, shown as applied to a compound marine engine. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of one of my generators,

and Figs. 4: and 5 are details of the slide-valves that regulate the air and gas supply of the generator.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents one of my improved generators, which is prefera-v bly made of cylindrical shape, closed at the top and bottom, and surrounded by'a jacket of a suitable non-conductor of heat.

sion-chamber, B, the walls of which are made of sheet-steel of a strength that is capable to resist the high degree of pressure to which the same is to be exposed. The lower part of The gen- 1 'erator A is provided with an interior exploand is provided with a stop cock, G, and with -forces it in outward direction.

a verticallysliding admission-valve, C of specific construction, which valve is shownin detail in Figs. 4 and 5. The upper part of the explosion-chamber B communicates by an outlet-pipe, B, and a conduit-pipe, B, with a feed-water heater that is arranged near the generator, so that the heat of the products of combustion generated by the explosions in the chamber 13 can be utilized for heating the feed-water, or for other purposes. The feedwater is forced into the generator through awatcr-supply pipe, E, by means of a suitable forcing apparatus.

At the lower part of the generator A is an ranged a horizontal cylinder, F, which extends outwardly through the wall of the generator, and communicates by a circular opening in the side wall of the explosion-chamber with the latter.

In the cylinder F reciprocates a piston, F, the piston-rod F of which passes through a stuffing-box in the side wall of the generator to the outside, the piston-rod being provided with an exterior guidedisk, f, between which and afixed disk, f, a strong spiral cushioningspring, f is interposed, that tends to move the piston inwardly when no interior pressure The pistonrod F is provided at its outermost end with a guide-dislgf, which closes ahattery-circuit the conducting-wires of which pass through a spring-cushioned end disk, f*, of the outer extension of the cylinder F, and from the same to the interior of the explosion-ehamber, where the line-wires are provided with platinum electrodes, so that when the end disk, f ",forms eontact'with the spring-cushioned piston f the current passes in a spark from one of the platinum terminals to the other, and ignites thereby the explosive air and gas mixture in the explosion-chamber.

In place of the electric igniting devices, any other suitable device by which the air and gas mixture is ignited may be employed. The regular supply of air and gas to the explosionchamber is controlled by suitable actuatinglever mechanisms that connect the piston-rod F with the slide-valve G of the gas-supply pipe 0 and with the valve D of the air-supply pipe D. Another lever mechanism connects the piston-rod F with a slide-valve, B, of the conduitpipe B saidslide-valve being of the same construction as the slide-valve 0 applied to the gassupply pipe 0. The pistonrod F is further connected by a suitable lever mechanism with a valve, r of a pipe, G, that connects the upper part of the generator A with a cylindrical accumulator, H, said accu- .mulator being located conveniently to the generator or generators. The accumulator H stores up the steam developed 111 the generators, and supplies it in the usual manner to the steam-engine or other apparatus. The generator A is further provided at its top part with a regulating gravity-valve, I, guided in a cylindrical casing, I, that is connected by a transmitting-lever mechanism, 6 i, with a stop-lever, i, pivoted to the exterior of the generator above the cylinder F. \Vhen the pressure of the steam in the generator A reaches its maximum point, the stop-level"; is lowered so as to engage a notch, i, of'the piston-rod F and interrupt thereby the regular operation of the apparatus. As thereby the piston F and all the valves connected to the piston-rod I are stopped, the operation of the apparatus itself is interrupted until the pressure is gradually reduced, the

stop-lever raised, and, by the action of the piston-spring, theregular operation of the same is resumed. The outlet-pipe B for the products of combustion is further provided with a stop-cock, B, which has to be opened when the apparatus is started.

The slide-valves C (J are shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5, and are constructed as follows:

An exterior oblong guide-casing contains the slide-valve C or B, that is composed of two sections, the upper one of which is rigidly applied to the upper end of the forked valverod it, while the lower section moves loosely thereon, but is retained by side springs in frictional contact with the narrow side walls of the casing h. The valve-rod h passes through the stuffing-box in the bottom of the casing, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. The tight fitting of the sections of the slidevalve is obtained by making their adjoining faces diagonally inclined and providing them with a transverse tongue-andgroove joint. W hen the slide-valve is moved in upward direction by its valve-rod, the lower section is retarded by the friction of its springs with the casing, while the upper section is moved up, whereby a gradually-widening space is formed between the two sections, through which the gas is allowed to pass through the gas-supply pipe 0 to the explosionfizhamber B, or into the eduction-pipe B as the case may be. \Vhen the valve arrives at its uppermost position, the lower section closes the gas-supply or eduction pipe, while by the downward motion of the valve the upper section interlocks with the lower section, and passes thereby with the latter across the opening of the pipes, without admitting the passage of any gases until the upward motion begins again, duringwhich the opening of the valve-sections takes place. In this manner the gassupply pipe or the eduction-pipe is opened at a certain determined point, as required, for the working of the apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: To start the same, the stop-cock B of the eduction-pipe B is first closed, also the valve of the gas-supply pipe 0 and the stop-cock of the water-supply pipe E. Atmospheric air is then forced into the apparatus, and the piston locked during this time in its inward position by a suitable device. IV hen the explosionchamber, generator, and accumulator are entirely filled with atmospheric air of a press- IIO of the piston, then the water is pumped in to a level of about one-half of the height of the generator. The air-supply pipe is then closed andthe stopcock of the eduction-pipe B opened, after which the valves of the explo sion-chamber are instantly closed by the pressure of the water and air in the generator. The piston is now released and the stop-cocks of the gas and air supply pipes are opened. The areas of the gas and air supply pipes are so proportioned that the required proportions of the explosible gas and air mixture are ob tained in the explosion-chamber. As the air enters into the explosion-chamber B at a higher pressure than the counter-pressure of the cushioning-spring, it causes the piston Fto move outwardly to such a distance that the slide-valve of the. gas-supply pipe 0 is opened by its intermediate lever mechanism, and such a quantity of gas admitted that the proportion of one to nine between gas and air is established in the gas and air mixture in the explosion-chamber. WVhenthepistonhaspassed beyond the second quarter of its outward stroke, the gas-supply valve is closed, and

when it arrives at the third quarter of its outslide-valve of the air-supply pipe D closed during the time that the piston completes its stroke. The valve of the pipe G, that connects the generator A and accumulator H, is also closed when the piston has completed its outward stroke. At this moment the gas and air mixture is exploded'by the electric.

spark or other equivalent igniting mechanism.

According to the laws of Gay-Lussac, the gases of combustion require thirtysix times as much space as the original explosive gas and airmixture, provided the pressure of the spring is equal to one atmosphere, which, however, is diminished by the friction and resistance caused by the different actuating mechanisms. The products of combustion are consequently driven with great force through the valved openings of the explosion-chain her, and pass upward between a series of shelves, m, that are applied alternately to the wallsof the boiler A and of the explosionchamber. By the force of the explosion the water is violently agitated and forced upward between the shelves. The heat generated by the explosion is partly given off to heat the body of the water and partly to heat the walls of the explosion-chamber.

The horizontal shelves are arranged in the space between the explosion-chamber and the The latter serve not only bustion that remains in the explosiouchamber heats the walls ofthe same, which heat is given out by radiation to the body of water in the generator. As the heat is absorbed by the water, condensation of the gases in the explosion-chamber takes place, which condensation goes hand in hand with the lowering of the temperature, so that thereby the pressure in the =explosion-chamber is gradually reduced to such a degree that the piston F, by the the pressure of its spring, may again begin its inward stroke. In the first quarter of the inward motion of the piston the slidevalve of the eduction-pipe'is opened, so th t the gases of combustion can expand and pass through the eduction -pipe B to a feed-water heater or other apparatus, where the heat still remaining in them is finally utilized. Vhen the piston has passed through the second quarter of its inward stroke, it begins to open the valve of the air-supply pipe by its lever-connection with the same, so that air can enter into the explosioir'chamber and expel the gases of combustion still contained therein through the eduction-pipe and conduct them to the feed-water heater. When the piston has passed through the third quarter of its inward stroke, the slide-valve of the eductionpipe is closed and the air-supply pipe gradually opened, until, when the piston arrives at the end of its inward stroke, the air-supply valve is entirely opened, so that a sufficient quantity of air is supplied to the explosionchamber that the air-pressure therein overcomes the pressure of the piston-spring, which, in its expanded state, is about equal to onehalf of an atmosphere. As soon as the pressure of the air overcomes the pressure of the spring; the piston begins its outward stroke, and places, at the same time, the slide-valve of the gas-supply pipe into open position, so as to supply the required quantity of gas to the explosion-chamber, which mingles therein with the atmospheric air until, by the gradual completion of the outward stroke of the plosible air and gas mixture ignited by the spark, in the same manner as before described.

In connection with the pistoirrod F is used a speed-regulating device, which is composed of a fan that is actuated by a rack on the piston-rod, said rack engaging a pinion and transmitting gearing by which motion is im- Jarted to the fan, and so asto'reg'ulate thereby t e speed and motion of the piston and prevent the jerking inotion of the same. In place of the fan, however, any other mechanism suitable for this purpose may be used. The upper space of the generator is gradually filled with steam that is generated by the heat given off by the products of combustion of the successive. explosions, the steam being mixed with nitrogen and carbonicacid gas generated by the combustion of the gas and air mixture This steam'and gas mixture passes through the connecting-pipe G to the accumulator H,

as the valve r of the connectingpipe G is opened and closed at the proper time by its intermediate lever mechanism by which it is connected to the piston-rod F. The valve 9 has to be closed while the piston moves through the last quarter of its outward stroke, so as to prevent the water in the generator from passing over into the accumulator by the violent ebullition caused by the explosion. After the explosion has taken place and the piston resumes its inward motion, the valveg is opened again, so that the steam can pass from the up per part of the generator to the accumulator. \Vhen a uniform pressure of steam has been established in the upper part of the generator in the connecting-pipe and accumulator, the opening and closing of the valve serves simply for the purpose of preventing the passage of water from the generator to the accumulator. Should the pressure in the generator or in the entire system rise beyond the maximum pressurethatis desired in the same for instance, above ten atmospheres'the regulating gravity-valve I is raised so as to actuate the connect-ing-lever mechanism and cause the engagement of the stop -lever i with a notch or recess, '2', on the piston-rod Fflwhere by the motion of the piston is interrupted until the pressure in the generator is reduced. The lowering of the regulating-valve releases the stop-lever and admits again the free play of the piston F. The stopping of the motion of the piston by the regulating gravity-valve takes place at that point of the outward stroke of the piston when the same has passed beyond the second quarter ofits strokein other words, after the gas has been supplied to the explosionchamberso that as soon as the piston completes its outward stroke by the interior pressure the next explosion can take place and the apparatus resume its proper function.

\Vhen the apparatus is to be entirely stopped or thrown out of function, the main valves of the air and gas supply pipes are shut off, so that no further explosions can take place. The stopcock of the eduction-pipe is then opened, so that any gases still confined in the explosion-chamber may pass off, and the piston is then moved by the action of its spring until it arrives at the end of its inward stroke, being thus ready for action whenever the ap paratus is to be started again.

The advantages of my apparatus for generating steam are, lii'st, entire utilization of nearly all the heat-units which are generated by the explosible gas and air mixture, partly by the direct action of the gases of explosion, partly by the radiation through the walls of the explosion-chamber, and lastly by giving off the heat still remaining in the gases to the water in the feed-water heater; second, owing to the perfect combustion which takes place by the explosion of the air and gas mixture, the highest theoretical heat value is produced from the fuel that is used in the gaseous form in the apparatus; third, as no coal, chimney, or airdraft is required, and as the fuel to be used can be carried along in a liquid state, the large space that was heretofore required for the storage of coal can be utilized for other purposes, which is of the greatest importance, especially for maritime purposes; fourth, as there is no furnace in this apparatus, a fireman is not required, nor can any explosion occur, as the apparatus functions with perfect regularity and is always under the automatical control of its pressure-regulating valve; fifth, as no smoke or other products of combustion are given off, the air is not deteriorated, and as there is no danger of explosion, the apparatus can be put up in any desired place and be run with the same degree of safety as the gas-engines now in general use.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent? 1. The method herein described of generating steam,which consists, first, in subjectinga body of water to the action of successive explosions of a suitable air and gas mixture, raising the temperature and transforming the water into steam by the heat generated by said explosions and their products of combustion, and com] ucting then the steam so generated,at intervals between the explosions, to a separate accumulating or storage vessel and from the same to the engine or other place of use, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a generator. a valved explosion-chamber at the interior of said generator, means for supplying gas and air in proper quantities to'said explosion-chamber, means to ignite said gas and air mixture, means to discharge the products of combustion from the explosion-chamber, means to lcgtllate the pressure in the generator, a steam accumulating or storage vessel, and means by which the steam is conducted at intervals between the explosions to said accumulator, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a generator, A, having a water-supply pipe, E, a valved interior explosion chamber, B, a valved gas-supply pipe, 0, leading into the explosion-chamber, a valved air-pipe, I), also leading into the explosion-chamber, a valved eduction-pipe, 13 B", leading from the explosion-chamber to a feed-water heater or other apparatus, a pressure regulating gravity valve, l, a valved steam-conducting pipe, G, an accumulator, H, and devices whereby the valves of the different supply and eduction pipes are actuated to secure the proper working of the apparatus, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE DIECKMANN.

W'itnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, SIDNEY lIANN. 

